NEISD budget cuts/layoffs/schedule changes (merged threads) (Bowie, Howe: fit in, insurance)

[zhugeliang1]

I logged onto the NEISD website today and instead of happy news like marching band places in contest and students read the most books, I see "NEISD in Financial Emergency". So NEISD is now waving the white flag of financial surrender.

Is there a website that lists all Texas ISDs in current financial emergency for my reference?

[pr57001]

I have not been following this closely, but how could this happen?

Property values are down, but not THAT much. How did it get out of balance so quickly? Did NEISD anticipate endless growth in the tax roles through continued new housing development and create a budget that could only be balanced if that growth continued?

If so, this is analogous to the securitization of mortgages by wall street using financial models that assumed home prices would NEVER dip.

[zhugeliang1]

I don't understand this thing about NEISD either. Is this happening to NEISD only or is this happening all through Texas?

[stoneoak]

believe all school districts across Texas are being hurt by state legislation that was passed in 2006. It's complicated and I really don't grasp most of it, but from what I can gather the state -- which is having severe money problems of its own -- is taking back any new revenue received from property increases, new homes etc. So the schools have basically the same income, even though their costs keep going up. Especially in NEISD which continues to get more and more students.

[traficdogn]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

I don't understand this thing about NEISD either. Is this happening to NEISD only or is this happening all through Texas?

That is a very good point. Especially since they are calling it an "emergency".

From my understanding, the funding to NEISD per-pupil did not drop, nor did it for other school districts in Texas.

So it can be either one of two scenarios.

1) Really bad financial planning.
2) A lie. This could be for various reasons.

a)To make it easier for cutbacks and salary freezes.
b)Tax hikes are coming.
c)Other "property wealthy" districts give their citizens extended property tax exemptions. I'm not sure if NEISD qualifies, but they may be trying to fight the pressure to do that.

[Buffyfan]

wow....I was the one who started the "Job searching teachers" thread. I FINALLY get into NEISD this year, and LOOK what happens folks!!!

[zhugeliang1]

I'm going through google trying to find other Texas schools and financial emergency for 2009, and I don't think I'm finding anything except NEISD. Or maybe I'm looking in the wrong place or using the wrong search words. I even started inputting specific ISDs by name but nothing but NEISD is coming up.

[Bo]

My son told me today that one of his teachers explained in class that electives teachers with less than 10 years of seniority are most likely to be laid off.

[sapphire]

That's sort of an odd thing for teachers to be discussing with students, IMO. I'm sure others feel differently, they always do, but seriously, spend your time teaching, not discussing district business that she is most likely speculating on.

[pobre]

With all of this in the news, it is highly likely that students, especially high school, would ask their teachers for more explanation.